Fiber Characteristics of White Poplar (Populus alba L.) Juvenile Wood along the Drava River

Anatomical properties of white poplar (Populus alba L.) wood have not been suffi ciently investigated and quantifi ed, whereas data on fi ber characteristics will certainly defi ne its potential as a raw material.Fiber length, double cell wall thickness and fi ber lumen diameter of white poplar juvenile wood from two sites along the Drava River in Croatia were measured.Variations in fi ber characteristics in radial direction (from pith to bark), within and between white poplar populations from two sites were investigated.Results indicate that fi ber Rlength and double cell wall thickness varied signifi cantly from pith to bark, within and between sites.Variation in fi ber lumen diameter was non-signifi cant only between sites.The variation in radial pattern was characterized by increase in fi ber length with cambial age.Double cell wall thickness and fi ber lumen diameter varied in non-consistent radial pattern.In conclusion, variation signifi cance demonstrates nonhomogeneous wood fi ber characteristics at both sites.